ERC launches the new ERC Plus Grants for the first time: up to €7 million for groundbreaking research in Europe

On 2 June 2026, the European Research Council (ERC) published the first call for proposals for the new ERC Plus Grants. The new pilot programme is designed to support excellent researchers in implementing particularly ambitious and transformative research projects in Europe. A total of €210 million is available for the first round of calls.

European Research Council launches new funding scheme as part of the ‘Choose Europe’ initiative

The ERC Plus Grants are part of the European “Choose Europe” initiative, which was presented by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at the Sorbonne in Paris in May 2025. The aim is to strengthen Europe’s position as a world-leading centre for science and to attract top international researchers to the European Research Area in the long term.

Up to €7 million in funding per project

Under the new funding scheme, outstanding researchers of all nationalities can receive funding of up to 7 million euros for a maximum period of seven years. Funding will be awarded to research projects involving particularly high scientific risk and the potential for fundamental breakthroughs, as well as the exploration of entirely new fields of research.

For the first call for proposals, the ERC plans to award around 30 ERC Plus Grants.

Europe aims to attract world-leading talent

The European Commission views the new funding scheme as a key building block for further enhancing Europe’s appeal in the international competition for scientific talent.

Ekaterina Zaharieva, EU Commissioner for Start-ups, Research and Innovation, emphasised: Europe has excellent researchers, strong research institutions and a clear commitment to academic freedom. With the new ERC Plus Grants and the broader ‘Choose Europe’ initiative, we are strengthening Europe’s position as the preferred location for scientific excellence.

Maria Leptin, President of the European Research Council, also highlighted the importance of the new instrument: The ERC Plus Grants enable outstanding researchers in Europe and worldwide to pursue their most ambitious scientific ideas and open up new avenues for transformative research.

Part of a comprehensive European package of measures

The ERC Plus Grants form part of a larger EU funding package for the period 2025 to 2027. In parallel, numerous European countries and regions are launching new programmes to attract international researchers. These include, amongst others:

• Fellowship programmes for international researchers
• Visiting researcher programmes
• Tenure-track positions
• Professorships
• Positions for early-career group leaders

Last year, the ERC had already expanded its support for researchers wishing to relocate their research base to Europe. Since then, applicants for ERC Starting Grants, Consolidator Grants and Advanced Grants have been able to apply for up to 2 million euros in additional funding to transfer laboratories or research teams to an EU Member State or a country associated with Horizon Europe.

Sharply rising interest from the USA

The expanded funding opportunities are already having an impact. Whilst the majority of ERC applicants continue to come from Europe, the latest ERC calls for proposals have seen a significant increase in applications from the United States. According to the ERC, the number of US applicants in certain funding lines was recently four times higher than in previous rounds.

About the European Research Council (ERC)

The European Research Council (ERC) was established by the European Union in 2007 and is regarded as Europe’s leading funding organisation for excellent pioneering research. The ERC supports researchers of all nationalities and at all career stages in carrying out cutting-edge scientific projects in Europe.

The main ERC funding schemes include:

• ERC Starting Grants
• ERC Consolidator Grants
• ERC Advanced Grants
• ERC Synergy Grants

These are complemented by the Proof of Concept Grants, which support the transfer of research results towards application and commercialisation.

For the 2021–2027 funding period, the ERC has a budget of more than 16 billion euros under Horizon Europe.

Further information on ERC Plus Grants and current calls for proposals is available on the European Research Council’s website.

Contact at BayFOR

BayFOR is happy to support you with strategic planning and the application process for ERC Grants.